Exercises for lower tummy

[wallace4some]

After 2 pregnancies where I got huge and 2 c-sections, my tummy is completely out of shape and pokey! Any good exercises for the lower tummy especially?

[mommykuce]

You can't spot reduce. Do you work out already, and if so what do you do? How is your diet? Since you said you gained a lot of weight, do you have flabby skin or is it just body fat (that's the pokey part)? Are you still over weight? I had a c-section and it is a lot harder working my lower abs still after 19mths. But really cleaning up my diet and working out on a regular basis has helped with my pooch.

[wallace4some]

I am still overweight. Currently, I am 5'2 and 173 but I'm still losing because I'm taking Phentermine. I try my best to exercise daily but some days it just doesn't happen. Most days I do 10-12 minute intervals on my eliptical. That's all I can manage in a different area of the house while my kids play. I also do the 8 minute videos almost daily. I know my workout routine is cheesy, but I can keep an eye of the kids while I'm doing it and they like to join me...

As for diet...eh! I don't eat completely bad because the Phentermine controls my cravings for greasy, fatty or sweet foods...but I sure try daily to get my 5 servings of fruits & veggies...

I even wear a stretchy tummy band while I'm do my cardio in hopes that will help shrink the skin. But mostly it is skin, but there is still fat as well.

Are there just any lower stomach exercises that I can try to concentrate more on than the basic crunches, side bends, reverse crunches, etc?

[MsFit]

Diet is most important. If you can, try to eat a small meal every 3 hours, I know this may be difficult, and increase your protein.

Be consistent with exercise and cardio, but don't overdo it.

Basic crunches and lying torso lifts will strengthen your ab muscles.

Small progressive steps make that long distant leap possible. ;)

[mommykuce]

One exercise I do for my lower abs is this: I lay on the floor on a mat on my back. To support my lower back which is really bad I put both hands palms down under my butt. I lbring my legs down to what I guess would be a 45 deg angle, and while contracting my abs I slowly lower my legs, but don't let them touch the ground (actually they shouldn't come that close to the ground). Then slowly lift them back to the 45 deg angle you started with, and repeat. I don't know if I am explaining it right. The key to training abs is not to rest a lot in between sets. Minimal rest is best because your abs reoxygnate quickly. In the beginning I could only lower them a little without feeling it really bad, but it has helped. It is going to take some time to get your abs stronger after the c-sections. I don't know how old your youngest is, so I don't know what point you are at.

I don't know anything about the medicine or whatever it is that you are taking so I can't advise that much regarding that. But especially with 2 kids it is very important to eat properly and get adequate nutrition and calories so you keep your energy. Can you give an idea of what you eat on an average day?

As far as exercise, do what you can. Can their father watch them for 20 min or so so that you can get some exercise in? Also lifting weights, even starting out light is important to loosing bodyfat. That is going to be your main concern for now besides strengthening your abs from the c-section. Also, i dont know how old the kids are, but I do a lot of exercises with my son using him instead of weights (he is pretty close to 30lbs now). I especially like to lift him on my legs and he loves it. Playing with your kids is the best and most productive cardio you can do! You get to exercise and bond with your kids! And if your skin is really stretched there isn't much you can do about that unfortunately.

Oh, and I wouldn't wear the tummy band during working out. Your body isn't able to breath and you can overheat since it keeps your heat in. I had one when I gave birth so I know what it is. After some point it doesn't do anything anyway. And drink lots of water!